How the Light Gets In

A Chief Inspector Gamache Novel, Book 9

By: Louise Penny

Narrated by: Ralph Cosham

Length: 15 hrs and 1 min

Publisher's summary

How the Light Gets In is the ninth Chief Inspector Gamache Novel from #1 New York Times bestselling author Louise Penny.

"There is a crack in everything. That's how the light gets in." —Leonard Cohen

Christmas is approaching, and in Québec it's a time of dazzling snowfalls, bright lights, and gatherings with friends in front of blazing hearths. But shadows are falling on the usually festive season for Chief Inspector Armand Gamache. Most of his best agents have left the Homicide Department, his old friend and lieutenant Jean-Guy Beauvoir hasn't spoken to him in months, and hostile forces are lining up against him. When Gamache receives a message from Myrna Landers that a longtime friend has failed to arrive for Christmas in the village of Three Pines, he welcomes the chance to get away from the city. Mystified by Myrna's reluctance to reveal her friend's name, Gamache soon discovers the missing woman was once one of the most famous people not just in North America, but in the world, and now goes unrecognized by virtually everyone except the mad, brilliant poet Ruth Zardo.

As events come to a head, Gamache is drawn ever deeper into the world of Three Pines. Increasingly, he is not only investigating the disappearance of Myrna's friend but also seeking a safe place for himself and his still-loyal colleagues. Is there peace to be found even in Three Pines, and at what cost to Gamache and the people he holds dear?

One of Publishers Weekly's Best Mystery/Thriller Books of 2013
One of The Washington Post's Top 10 Books of the Year
An NPR Best Book of 2013

©2013 Three Pines Creations, Inc. (P)2013 Macmillan Audio

Critic reviews

“Louise Penny's Three Pines mysteries are eminently satisfying due to their imaginative variety. The stories include scenes of Montreal sophistication and gritty crime contrasted with the idyllic setting of Three Pines. There's also literary appeal, quirky humor, and – let's not forget – murder.” —AudioFile Magazine, Earphones Award Winner

“Penny writes engagingly whether you're reading her books or listening to them. An argument for the latter is that her characters – not the least being Gamache, the gentle, brilliant, introspective and beleaguered head of the Surete division – are enriched beyond description through the distinctive voice of reader Ralph Cosham” —The Star-Ledger

"Narrator Ralph Cosham moves seamlessly from character to character, adding depth to each; his narration, coupled with a suspenseful writing style, make for edge-of-your-seat listening. Highly recommended for series devotees or fans of literary mysteries.” —Library Journal, starred review

One of my favorites books from the series!

This book was full of suspense, sadness and exciting twists. The lovely town of Three Pines is back! Where is it,so I can retire there! Ralph Cosham does a beautiful and very honest rendition of Inspector Gamache (among many characters he Narrates. Louise Penny has such an amazing talent for storytelling. and draws us into the mystery w/drama, great comedy, beautiful friendships, complex and growing characters.. and what crazy things can happen, when a person makes a really bad decision or two....💕

Exceptional!

From start to finish, a great read. Two great story lines with just the right amount of history. Nail biting ending so worth it!

Sublime

Penny knows how to make you fall in love with her characters. Excellent narration. Thanks!

Wraps up past stories

This would not be a good first book for people to try without reading past books in the series. It wraps up past events and centers a bit on Jean-Guy. Also, like others, the fact that the phones and internet magically stopped working in town is annoying. Especially when the past books in the series no one had a single issue. The story itself was satisfying to me. I mostly enjoy Three Pines and the detective parts of the series so all the drama was a distraction. That all seems to have been wrapped up in this book.

Best Gamache story so far

Loved it! I've enjoyed all in the Gamache series, but this one is the best so far.

Tender and Bold

What a beautiful book. The twists are stunning and crafty. The humanity of the characters is moving. The story is so special. I love Penny’s work, and was especially moved by this book. I will treasure this one as it joins my shelf among my all time favorites!

Wonderful twists!

What an amazing book! Love the characters, the story, the narrator…with every Gamache book I read I say, “Oh my goodness, this one’s the best yet!” And then… Another fantastic surprise with the next one!! I love how the characters change and evolve!

There is a light at the end of the tunnel!

After reading all in the series so far, I was beginning to despair at Inspector Gamache ever getting the answers he’d been seeking in the department. This is so well written, the cliff hangar exceeded all expectations. We’ll done Louise Penny! Can’t wait for the next!

Great suspenseful Three Pines mystery

I really liked all the previous Inspector Ganache books and tried to figure out the solution to the mysteries a I listened but I was always able to stop listening if I had something else to do. But by the second half of this book, I was totally hooked. This is the kind of suspense that when you pull into your garage you stay there for another 15 minutes because you can’t stop listening. Loved the story and the narrator.

Still strong

Finishing the eighth book in the series you think the story would start to drop off. I could not put this one down. I have to say the best yet.